SCARBOROUGH and Ryedale Carers Resource (SRCR) has been awarded a £392,713 Big Lottery grant to develop its support for young adult carers.

The funding will allow the service to expand to Hambleton and Richmondshire, providing support for 600 carers aged between 16 and 35.

Through the project, young adult carers will be able make informed choices about their futures, access training, learning and employment and receive individualised and specialist support and advice.

It also includes the provision of social activities, which will allow carers to make new friends and mix with people their own age who are in similar situations. Volunteering opportunities will be offered and the chance for young adult carers to have their voices heard in developing services for 16 to 35 year olds.

Elizabeth McPherson, chief officer, said: “We are delighted to receive this grant from the Big Lottery Fund to continue to develop and expand this much-needed service over half of North Yorkshire. The project will have a major impact for at least 600 young adult carers within our communities over the next four years. We are aiming to start the project toward the end of the summer 2015.”

Sian Balsom, chairman of the Board of Trustees, said she would like to thank the Big Lottery Fund for enabling SRCR to continue with this much-needed project. “We can now work with many more young adult carers who are missing out on this much needed support,” she said.

“The grant will help address the transition from young carers to adult carers as well as supporting parent carers. To be in a position where we can dedicate more resources to young adult carers will make a real difference to the lives of these young people.”

For details, phone 01723 850155 or go to carersresource.net